Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:26:22 GMT 1
« on: December 25, 2009, 11:45:41 AM »
QUESTIONS FROM KEIR
you first rode in a team at White City in 1953, then in the open meetings at the old Ashfield track. Except for a few outings for Motherwell at the end of 1954 and the open meetings in 1958 that was it until 1960. How much of a set back was this bleak period for our sport for you at the start of your career?
DT I rode grasstrack for that period but losing 7 years of speedway experience makes me
wonder where my career in speedway would have been, I was 32 when Meadowbank
started and missed my best years of racing.
Q You captained Edinburgh Monarchs with distinction for almost nine seasons. What was it like to ride in front of the big crowds in this period?
DT I thought it was great
Q Do you think the 60s was the golden era for post war speedway?
DT At least for me it was most definately the best
Q You ‘retired’ briefly at Coatbridge in 1969 when Bert Harkins took over as captain only to return to the team before the end of the season.
Why did you do this?
DT I left the family farm in November 68 and started farming on my own farm, I was finding
it difficult to run the farm at a busy time with the traveling to speedway meetings.
Q How much of a blow was it when Hoskins sold the promotion at the end of that season and was it unexpected as far as you remember?
DT It was unexpected and I had too many committments at home to go down south.
Q You then spent several years at Berwick in the early 70s. What are your recollections of those years?
DT It gave me a new lease of life and I started to enjoy my speedway again.
Q Perhaps fittingly you returned to ride for the Tigers in the Coatbridge era in the late 70s and unfortunately ended your riding career after an accident at
Paisley. What was it like to ride the Paisley track and given the accidents that occurred there do you think it was unsafe?
DT I thought it was OK to ride but it could be deep and rough at times.
Q You did win the then prestigious Scottish Open at Old Meadowbank. What would you say was the high point in your career?
DT Winning the Scottish Open in 60 and 62. 1953 White City I was reserve for Scotland v
NZ. I was 3rd highest scorer and led Ronnie Moore for two laps in two races.
Q Old Meadowbank was a great place to watch speedway. Was it a good track to ride and which track was your personal favourite?
DT A great track to ride and a very fair track for visitors which made great racing.
Old Meadowbank was my favourite but I also liked Exeter, Shefield and Coventry
infact most tracks were good to ride in those days.
Q How did you get on with Charlie Monk?
DT Charlie was like me he went out to win.
Q Do you think that George Hunter squandered his considerable talent?
DT George was a boy with a lot of talent and I don't know of anyone who did not like George.
Q Are too many pointless rules and inconsistent refereeing ruining speedway today?
DT I don't go to many meetings but televised meetings should never be in doubt with a rerun
to answer any queries.
Q How regularly do you watch speedway now?
DT I have been to Armadale and Berwick a couple of times this year but I watch all the
televised meetings
Q Do you agree that as a promoter Hoskins was the class act?
DT In my day he was definately a showman of the first kind. He always tried to bring something
different to each meeting. His philosophy was whether you have the crowd booing or cheering
you have got their attention.
QUESTIONS FROM MERV JANKE FAN CLUB
Q How did you and Willie get into speedway?
DT Larry Lasarus and Ron Phillips were at a grasstrack in Clydebank and saw me racing.
Told Ian Hoskins, I was signed and in the team the following week without a practice on the track.
It was April 1st as it had all happened so fast I was wondering if it was April Fools day.
Willie started after that.
Q You and you brother had a bit of a reputation on track, who were the other hard men of your day?
DT A hard man!!! never!!! you can ask my friends.
A hard rider is totally different. Yes I went out to win. Others in that catagory would be Barry Briggs
Jack Mullen and Charlie Monk to name but a few.
Q How was the rivalry when you and Willie met as opponents on track?
DT It was just another race and we both were out to win.
Q Who was the best promoter you raced under?
DT Ian Hoskins, Danny and Liz Taylor. Different types of promoter. One was in it for the money
and the other for the love of speedway.
Q Who was the best rider you raced alongside?
DT My first team mate was Jimmy Tannock. He always said he looked after me
and held everyone back to let me win
Q What was you favourite track?
DT Old Meadowbank
Q Scotland raced in a few Test matches in your day, did you feel any different representing your country?
DT 28 matches I represented my country and it was good to have the scottish saltire on my body colours
Q What was your best moment in speedway?
DT Winning the Silver Sash from Ross Gilbertson at Meadowbank
Q Whats your all-time speedway one to seven?
DT ?
QUESTION FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q Did you enjoy riding with Reider Eide
DT He was a very good rider and a very good friend. He came to stay with us for three weeks
when he first arrived in Scotland. I was in the rounds of the world championship and he travelled with me.